Episodes

For business owners, life insurance can become much more than income protection. As your business and wealth grow, questions around future tax liabilities, estate equalization, business obligations, and transferring wealth can make the right insurance structure increasingly important. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah welcome Hemal Balsara, Head of Tax, Retirement and Estate Planning at Manulife, to explore how life insurance can support different planning needs. They look at term and permanent...

Canada’s July 2026 draft tax legislation includes several proposed changes that could affect businesses and individual taxpayers. From Disability Tax Credit applications and transfer pricing paperwork to the new $5,000 Red Seal Completion Bonus, understanding what’s being proposed can help you identify which changes may be worth discussing with your tax advisor. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah welcome Rebecca Adrian, CPA, CFP, Senior Manager with Baker Tilly’s National Tax group, to explain s...

Planning to build, purchase, or expand a manufacturing facility? Proposed Canadian tax changes could create a meaningful opportunity for eligible businesses, but understanding the rules before making a major investment is essential. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah are joined by Rebecca Adrian, CPA, CFP, a member of Baker Tilly’s National Tax team, to unpack proposed legislation in Bill C-31 and what it could mean for Canadian manufacturers. Together, they discuss immediate expensing for quali...

What actually changed in the Spring Economic Update, and what just sounds important? This episode breaks down what matters, what doesn’t, and where business owners should actually be paying attention. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah are joined by Rebecca Adrian, CPA, CFP, National Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Canada, to discuss the latest Spring Economic Update and what it means from a practical tax and planning perspective. Together, they cut through the noise to highlight where there are real...

What actually qualifies as a “farm” for tax purposes, and why does it matter more than most people think? In this episode, Frankie and Sarah are joined by Bud Arnold, Tax Partner at Baker Tilly, to continue their conversation on Canadian farming tax rules, this time focusing on planning opportunities and how to access preferential tax treatments. This episode highlights how small structural and operational decisions can significantly impact long-term tax outcomes for farm owners and their famili...

Farm succession planning is not just about who gets the land; it is about how to transfer it without creating an unmanageable tax bill. This episode explains why farm property is treated differently under the Income Tax Act and how those differences can shape estate and succession decisions. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah are joined by Jamie Lee, Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Cadian, to walk through the unique tax rules that apply to qualifying farm property in Canada. From rollover provisions ...

Most business owners assume strong relationships are enough to hold a company together. This episode explains why that belief can create serious risk, and how the right agreements can prevent years of conflict. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah are joined by returning guest Denise Branton, Lawyer and Owner, Byron Street Legal, to break down why shareholder agreements matter more than most business owners realize, especially in family businesses and closely held companies. What to expect: Why “...

For physicians and medical professionals, the financial journey from residency to retirement can be as complex as any clinical case. Frankie and Sarah welcome Deanna Cregg, Partner at Arcadian Group, to unpack the key tax and structuring decisions doctors face at each career stage. From the first days of self-employment to planning for retirement, Deanna explains when it makes sense to incorporate, how to structure share ownership for maximum flexibility, and why thinking ahead about investment ...

Expanding into the United States sounds exciting… until the tax rules hit you. In this episode, Frankie and Sarah sit down with cross-border tax specialist David Downie to unravel the real considerations Canadian business owners face when they decide to move south, scale into new markets, or invest across the border. What starts as a simple question, “Should I set up a U.S. company?” quickly turns into a maze of entity choices, integration breakdowns, foreign affiliate rules, and unexpected tax ...

When your budget update sounds like “not much to see here,” you know it’s been a quiet year in tax, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to unpack. Frankie and Sarah sit down with Baker Tilly tax partner Rosa Maria Iuliano, who’s been locked in on federal budgets for over two decades (yes, 22 years!). Together, they break down the 2025 federal budget, not just what’s in it, but what’s been quietly removed or delayed, including the capital gains inclusion rate increase, bare trust filing, and ...

What happens when an estate includes non-resident beneficiaries or is managed by a non-resident executor? In this follow-up to their previous episode on non-resident property owners, Frankie and Sarah welcome Baker Tilly Ottawa partner Julianne McLaren for a deep dive into the lesser-known tax implications of estate distributions involving non-residents. From T2062 forms and treaty exemptions to CRA penalties and misunderstood clearance rules, this episode breaks down complex requirements in pla...

What happens when someone who doesn’t live in Canada sells or rents out Canadian real estate? Frankie and Sarah explain the tax consequences non-residents face, many of which come as a complete surprise. From clearance certificates to withholding requirements, this episode walks through the most common (and costly) mistakes people make when disposing of or renting property across the border. It’s not just for non-residents, either. Canadian lawyers, accountants, and real estate professionals wil...

What does it really take to go global, and is your business ready for it? In this episode of From The Source, hosts Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley sit down with Ben Lloyd, CEO of Baker Tilly Canada, to explore the strategic, cultural, and practical realities of international expansion. With more than two decades of global leadership experience across continents, Ben offers a front-row view into how Canadian businesses can seize cross-border opportunities without falling into common traps. From ...

It’s summer in Canada, and while the weather heats up, so does the real estate market. But did you know selling your home too soon could trigger a surprise tax bill? In this episode of From the Source, Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley break down the CRA’s flipped property rules that took effect in 2023 and how they affect homeowners, real estate investors, and anyone selling property in Canada. From misunderstood exemptions to the difference between capital gains and business income, this episode...

How does a professional services leader stay with one firm for over three decades and continue to offer fresh perspectives? In this episode, Frankie and Sarah sit down with Terri Holowath, Chair of Baker Tilly Canada, to explore the importance of relationships, innovation, and inclusivity in the accounting profession. Terri shares her career journey, insights into leadership development, and her passion for empowering the next generation of accountants. Terri discusses: The evolution of her 33-...

Join Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley as they chat with Brenda Scott, Senior VP of Data Analytics at Baker Tilly KDN, about transforming raw data into strategic assets. Brenda explains the different facets of data advisory, comparing it to the structure of financial advisory, highlighting roles such as data engineers, analysts, scientists, and strategists. She emphasizes that businesses of all sizes and stages can benefit from data advisory, even those just beginning to track and understand their...

How can you secure your business against digital threats? Dive into the world of cybersecurity with Frankie Loreto, Sarah Netley, and their special guest, Blair Brown, in this episode of “From the Source.” Blair, who heads the digital services group at Baker Tilly, shares insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape, with a particular focus on small to medium-sized businesses. He discusses how artificial intelligence is being leveraged to create sophisticated phishing attempts and the impor...

What does spending your winter in the U.S. mean for your taxes? Join Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley as they chat with Kevin Tippet about the ins and outs of Canadian snowbirds managing their tax responsibilities when living or owning property in the United States. Whether it’s the intricacies of the 183-day rule, buying vacation homes, renting them out, or selling them, they break down everything you need to know to avoid unexpected tax obligations. Kevin shares insights on: Navigating the 183...

Want to move to Canada but unsure how it affects your US tax obligations? Frankie Loreto and Sarah Netley are joined by US tax expert Kevin Tippett, to dive into the intricacies of tax implications for US citizens living in Canada. Kevin, a tax partner at Baker Tilly’s Ottawa office, brings clarity to a topic that affects many cross-border individuals. They explore key differences between the Canadian and US tax systems and offer detailed insights into the challenges of dual tax obligations. Kev...

This episode aims to break down key considerations for filing trust returns, focusing on the current legislative uncertainty within the Canadian government. Frankie and Sarah revisit the capital gains inclusion rate changes and the political debate surrounding them, with both Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal contender Chrystia Freeland vowing to scrap the proposed tax legislation if elected. They also discuss the shifts to Bear Trust filings, which have caused confusion due to un...

What do tariffs mean for your business? In this episode, Frankie and Sarah delve into the complexities of tariffs with Sean Grant-Young and Dean Morris. Recorded just after President Trump’s temporary reprieve on tariffs for Canada, the discussion centers on the looming threat of tariffs and their potential impacts on Canadian businesses. They talk about strategies for navigating this challenging landscape, emphasizing the importance of being prepared. Sean and Dean discuss: The significance of...

Could the introduction of Employee Ownership Trusts in Canada transform your business exit strategy? Frankie and Sarah delve into Canada’s new rules around Employee Ownership Trusts, an intriguing option for business succession introduced in the 2023 federal budget. Their discussion highlights how this new format could revolutionize how businesses handle buy-sell transitions, especially with the anticipated wave of business sales in the coming decade. Frankie and Sarah discuss: The fundamental ...

Are you ready to explore the complex but crucial world of tax legislation and its implications for your business? Frankie and Sarah are joined by John Oakey, Vice President of Taxation for CPA Canada, on a deep dive into how the prorogation of Parliament is shaking up tax legislation, with a particular focus on the proposed changes to the treatment of capital gains. Frankie and Sarah discuss: The effects of prorogation on existing and proposed tax bills The uncertainty surrounding the capital g...

What if your business could tap into a treasure trove of financial incentives? Join Frankie and Sarah with two more Baker Tilly professionals, Matt Zarowny, P.Eng, and Rob D’Amico, CPA, CGA, as they dive into the world of Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives, affectionately known as SR&ED Credits. From basic research to experimental development, discover how various projects across industries can qualify for these credits, transforming potential costs into real...